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Carry and drive device and method for dental implant and/or components thereofRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Holding Or Positioning Denture In Mouth, By Fastening To JawboneCarry and drive device and method for dental implant and/or components thereof description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070037121, Carry and drive device and method for dental implant and/or components thereof. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of dental implants and components thereof, and more specifically to a combination carry (or delivery) and drive device and method for a dental implant or components thereof. The invention also relates to the combination of a dental implant and a device and method for carrying and driving such implant and a combination of an dental implant abutment screw and a device and method for carrying and driving such screw. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] A wide variety of dental implants currently exist in the art. Such dental implants commonly include a body with external threads or other means for mounting and retaining the implant within the patient's mouth. Installation of the implant commonly involves rotation of the implant into a predrilled or tapped site using a drive member such as a ratchet or other rotation means. The implant also includes a drive region which may be located externally or internally at or near the proximal end of the implant. Various structures for both externally and internally driving the implant currently exist. Certain types of dental implants also include abutment screws for connecting an abutment or the like to the implant. Various means also currently exist for accomplishing this installation. [0005] During installation of the implant, it is desirable to deliver the implant to the predrilled or tapped site by transferring or carrying the implant from the sterile package or other environment to such site without breaching the sterile condition of the implant. Similarly, when installing an abutment with an abutment screw, it is desirable to deliver the abutment screw to the installation site without breaching its sterile condition. Although some mechanisms exist which are capable of both carrying the implant (or abutment screw) to the implant (or installation) site as well as driving the implant (or screw), there is a continuing need for an improved implant and/or abutment screw carrier and driver which overcomes limitations of prior art devices. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a carry and drive device and method by which a dental implant and/or for components thereof can be carried or delivered from a sterile environment to an installation site and then rotationally driven with a single device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention relates to a combination carry and drive device for carrying a threaded member to an installation site and for driving or rotating such threaded member into that site. The invention has particular applicability to the field of dental implants as a device for carrying an implant to an installation site and rotationally driving such implant into the installation site and/or carrying a dental implant component such as an abutment screw to an installation site and rotationally driving the screw into the implant to connect the abutment. [0008] More specifically, the combination carry and drive device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed for use with a rotation member such as a dental implant or an abutment screw which is provided with an internal driving recess having one or more driving surfaces or lobes. The carry and drive device includes a driver end which is designed for insertion into the driving recess and which has an exterior configuration substantially matching the driving configuration of the driving recess. In the preferred embodiment, the driver end also includes an interference or engagement surface designed for carrying engagement with a portion of the driving recess. This interference or engagement surface is preferably beveled inwardly toward its distal end so that the radial dimension of such surface at its distal end is less than the radial dimension of a corresponding portion of the driving recess and the radial dimension of such surface at its proximal end is greater than the radial dimension of a corresponding portion of the driving recess. [0009] During use, the driver end of the device is inserted into the driving recess of the implant. After limited insertion, a portion of the interference surface engages a corresponding portion of the driving recess. Upon further insertion, a tight friction fit occurs between such interference surface and its corresponding driving recess portion. This friction fit is sufficient to carry the driven member to its desired installation site. When the installation site is reached, the driven member is installed by rotationally driving such member with the driver end. [0010] In the preferred embodiment, the device for carrying and driving an implant includes an internal connection dental implant with a driving recess comprised of a plurality of concave and convex lobes defining the driving surfaces. The driver end for this embodiment includes an external surface with substantially matching lobes and driving surfaces for insertion into the driving recess. The external surface of one or more of the driver end lobes is provided with an interference rib or portion extending outwardly from the exterior surface thereof. A beveled interference surface is formed from such interference rib and a distal portion of the driver end lobe so that a distal or outer end of such interference surface has a radial dimension less than a corresponding portion of the driving recess and an opposite or proximal end of such surface has a radial dimension greater than a corresponding portion of the driving recess. [0011] The method of making and/or using the implant carry/driver device of the preferred embodiment includes providing a carrier having a driving configuration substantially matching the driving configuration of the driving recess and an interference rib or portion on the external surface of the driver in which the radial dimension of the driver end at the interference rib is greater than the radial dimension of the corresponding portion of the driving recess. A portion of the interference rib is then removed to form the interference surface. The method of using the implant carry and driver device includes inserting the driver into the driving recess until the interference surface is sufficiently engaged with a corresponding lobe of the driver recess, carrying or delivering the engaged implant to the installation site and rotating the implant at the site with the driver. [0012] The carry and drive device for the abutment screw in accordance with the preferred embodiment is designed to carry and drive an abutment screw having a driving recess and a driving configuration comprised of a substantially square cross-section. The exterior configuration of the driver end of the carry and drive device for such abutment screw substantially matches the driving configuration of the abutment screw, but with one or more interference surfaces formed at its corners. Such interference surface inclines or is beveled inwardly toward its distal end. As with the implant carry and drive device, the interference surface of the carry and drive device for the abutment screw has a radial dimension at its distal end which is less than the radial dimension of a corresponding corner portion of the driving recess in the abutment screw and a radial dimension at its proximal end which is greater than the radial dimension of a corresponding corner portion of the driving recess in the abutment screw. [0013] During use, the distal end of the carry and drive device is inserted into the driving recess of the abutment screw until there is engagement between the interference surface and a corresponding corner portion of the driving recess. Upon further insertion, sufficient frictional engagement is provided between such interference surface and the corresponding portion of the driving recess to carry the abutment screw to its installation site. Upon reaching the installation site, the abutment screw is positioned within the abutment and rotated by the driver end. [0014] Accordingly, the carry and drive device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed for use with a dental implant or a dental implant component such as an abutment screw which includes a driving recess with one or more drive surfaces. The driver end of the device includes a configuration substantially matching the driving recess and one or more driving surfaces for driving engagement with the driving surfaces of the recess upon insertion of such driver end. Either an interior surface portion of the recess or an exterior surface portion of the driver end is provided with an interference surface. Preferably, at least a portion of the interference surface is positioned radially inwardly of the interior surface of the recess (or radially outwardly of the exterior surface of the driver) so that upon insertion of the driver end into the driving recess, frictional engagement or interference will result. This enables the driver end and the implant (or abutment screw) to be frictionally engaged to permit the implant or abutment screw to be carried to the installation site and then rotated. [0015] Further, details regarding the invention are described with reference to the drawings, the description of the preferred embodiment and method and the appended claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the implant carry and drive device and the dental implant with which it is used. [0017] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the dental implant as viewed from its proximal end. [0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partially in section, of the proximal end portion of the dental implant as viewed along the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the implant driver of FIG. 1 as viewed from the distal end. [0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the distal, driver end of the implant carry and drive device of FIG. 1. [0021] FIG. 6 is an isometric, fragmentary view of the distal end portion of the implant carry and drive device of FIG. 1. Continue reading about Carry and drive device and method for dental implant and/or components thereof... 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